The revelation about his wife's power over his smokes was made on Monday, when Obama was caught chatting off-guard with a UN official and was recorded by a CNN microphone saying said he hoped the official had quit smoking.

Although it's unlikely than any wife (even if she is the lovely Michelle) could kick the long-running smoking habit of any given Arab, it's always refreshing to know that Obama is just like any other Middle Easterner and enjoys a cheeky Marlboro.